Bella Hadid's Sleek Black Set Featured a Controversial Capri Fit
When an outfit toes the line between eccentric and stylish, you might reflect and think to yourself: I bet Bella Hadid could pull that off.
Last night, at her sister Gigi Hadid's 30th birthday party, the Orebella founder proved once again she has a knack for seeing the vision, even when the rest of us might be hesitant to jump on board.
Seen entering the venue for Gigi's party at Le Chalet in New York City, Bella appeared in a biker-chic getup that included a skintight black capri-style set from Nuovo Paris. The halter-top ensemble featured pieces of draped fabric tied together to create a loose belted moment that cinched at the supermodel's waist.
For her footwear, Bella slipped into a pair of simple black pointed-toe heels with a strap around her ankles. She further accessorized her biker fit with a cool, rusted leather jacket, which she held in her hands, and a vintage cherry-red sequined Fendi Baguette with gold detailing along the outline.
As for her glam, Bella packed on the gloss for a contrasting brown-and-red combo. She also swiped on a dash of brown eyeshadow to match her tight-lined black eyeliner.
Leaning into early aughts trends, the model upped the ante with oversized thin silver hoop earrings and a bracelet. Similar to Gigi's look for the event, Bella mixed metals by throwing in a chunky gold ring on her middle finger.
Sisters who share fashion tips together, stay together.
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Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Yahoo
72 Kids' Lunch Ideas Real Parents Swear By (I Promise!)
This article may contain affiliate links that Yahoo and/or the publisher may receive a commission from if you buy a product or service through those links. This school year I seriously need new ideas for my kids' lunches. After a summer of packing lunches for camp, the daily lunch routine has been feeling pretty stale. Also, my daughter is transferring to a new school that is nut-free. We need new ideas for easy lunches that don't need refrigeration and fit our idea of healthy — fresh, nut-free, and high-protein. I went hunting for new kids lunch ideas, and I found over 70 ideas for lunches that I think my kids will actually eat and enjoy on repeat! Bonus: Nearly every single idea comes with a lunch box picture to get you inspired too. Table of Contents Our Two Favorite Lunch Boxes for Kids What Makes a Good Kids' School Lunch? Extra-Easy Kid Lunches (My Kids' Favorites!) Cold and Make-Ahead Lunches for Kids High-Protein Lunches for Kids Pasta & Noodle Lunches for Kids Sandwiches & Wrap Lunches for Kids Tacos & Burrito Lunches for Kids Rice & Dumpling Lunches for Kids Breakfast-for-Lunch Ideas for Kids Egg Muffin & Frittata Lunch Ideas for Kids Our Two Favorite Lunch Boxes for Kids If you need a new lunch box check out these two. These are the ones used the most in my house and Cambria's – tried, tested, and vetted for an entire school year. Rover Stainless Steel Lunch Box PlanetBox $50 This stainless steel PlanetBox lunch box is a team favorite here at Cubby, reliable and Now OmieBox Bento Box for Kids (With Insulated Food Jar) Amazon $50 My family has used the OmieBox for a year and we like how leak-proof and sturdy they are. The included thermos is brilliant!Buy Now What Makes a Good Kids' School Lunch? My kids prefer a home-packed lunch (even though I've nudged them towards school-provided lunches for many reasons). Also, my older daughter's new school is fully nut-free — a new challenge for our lunch routine. She's a real fiend for peanut butter, so I've always had that to fall back on. Here are my goals for my kids' school lunches, just so you know what I am looking for in lunch ideas: Filling: I just want my kids to eat enough so that they don't arrive home complete hangry monsters. Appealing: I don't believe in telling them to eat everything, but I do try not to repeat things they really just won't eat. Quick and easy to pack: I usually stick to whole foods (vs. cooked recipes) and look for things that can be quickly assembled at night or in the morning. Healthy (whatever that means to you): Everyone has a different meaning for healthy (check out our food values exercise here). For me, it means a good variety of fruits and vegetables, along with at least a little bit of protein. We stick to a few routine staples that they reliably enjoy, and I think that this is just fine. (This dietitian agrees with me — I found this a comforting read.) I start with a main dish like a smoothie, yogurt, or a sandwich, and then fill in around that. I have a standard shopping list for the fruits and vegetables my kids eat the most (clementines, mini cucumbers). We always add something crunchy like chips or crackers, and a small treat. But when we do need new lunch ideas, the challenge (besides my kids' native pickiness) is finding new main dishes that are appealing and relatively nutritious. I am getting a little desperate for some new things to try. Enter our EPIC lunch ideas list! 70+ Kids' School Lunch Ideas — in Pictures! I rolled up my sleeves and reviewed many, many past lunch box posts here at Cubby and on our sister site The Kitchn. I assembled all these past photos and ideas into this huge list that really helped me, and I hope helps you too. Many of these ideas are from nutritionists; others are from real parents who have shared what their kids actually like to eat for lunch! Browse by section: I organized in sections — most are nut-free. My easy buttons are at the top! I put my own kids' most reliable go-tos at the top, under the assumption that I have, to be completely honest, fairly picky and vanilla kids. Give some of the more surprising ideas a chance! Right now I think my kids would never eat a grain salad (lol!) but I am realizing that seasoned lentils, or pearl couscous with Parmesan and cheese might actually be good gateways into expanding their lunch palates. Scroll through with your kids and see if anything sparks their interest! Extra-Easy Kid Lunches (My Kids' Favorites!) DIY Lunchable: The simplest lunch and always a favorite: cut-up deli meat and cheese, with a few crackers. Rolled Plain Ham: Very simple and easy. Turkey Roll-Ups: I always forget about turkey, but smoked turkey goes over well, especially with a little bit of cheese or cucumber tucked inside. Pepperoni: One of my kids asked to be called a 'peppertarian' because she loves mini pepperoni so much. So this often goes into the lunch box with cheese and crackers. Yogurt: Yogurt as a parfait, or in a Thermos with a baggie of granola, has been a big favorite right now. Smoothie Bowl (or Smoothie): Whether it's a fancy smoothie bowl like this one, or a store-bought Chobani smoothie in a kid-friendly bottle, smoothies have been a big easy button lately. Chicken and Rice (or Cauliflower Rice): One of my kids is mad for rice, so this is another easy button. Plain Pasta: When in doubt, plain pasta, right? I love the quick, microwavable pasta like these from Barilla. We use a lunch box with a small thermos inside to hold warm buttered pasta. Pizza: Small pieces of pizza in a Thermos have also been a hit. Cold and Make-Ahead Lunches for Kids Chopped Salad – This is one of those 'huh — would they actually eat it?' ideas, but a very basic mix of tiny baby tomatoes and cucumber has actually been a hit with my older kid, especially in the hot summer months. Hummus or Bean Dip – My kids aren't fans of hummus, to my great sadness, but I keep trying. If yours love it, try sending a little bit of dip with chips and fruit. Tuna Salad – This classic lunch is another one that we're building up to but it was a huge favorite of mine at their age. Pita with Dips – Like the hummus idea, a straightforward 'snack' lunch can be made with the mini pitas from the grocery store, or pita cut into triangles. Add a dip or a pureed soup on the side. Cheese Plate – I realize this is very similar to the DIY Lunchable but hey, it's really fun to say 'you're getting a fancy cheese plate for lunch!'. Marinated Beans & Olives – The beans are still a long shot, but I have a child who is crazy for olives, and I've been tucking them in her lunch with a little cheese and crackers. Lentil Salad – This is top of my 'try next' list — French lentils cooked in chicken broth and lightly seasoned. They're good cold or warm. Grain Salad – Grain salads can be anything from plain cooked rice with a bit of corn mixed in, or more elaborate concoctions of whatever they are enjoying currently. (A great way to use up leftovers too!) High-Protein Lunches for Kids How much protein do kids need? Early elementary school-age children need about 19 grams a day, and older elementary school (9-14) have a dietary recommendation of about 34 grams. Each of these lunchboxes is aiming to get at least 10 grams in. Hard-Boiled Eggs – At 6 grams of protein each, an egg is just the perfect package. Pulled Chicken – A small handful of shredded cooked chicken will have between 10 and 15 grams of protein, and if your kid is into this, it's a really fabulous lunch. Shredded Chicken and Pesto – More shredded chicken, but this one is seasoned with pesto. Ranch Chicken Bites – These ranch chicken bites are irresistible to pretty much everyone (recipe here). Smoked Salmon & Cream Cheese Roll-Ups: A luxurious lunch for a child who wants a tiny bit of bagel with his lox. Plain Meatballs – Meatballs are always in our rotation, and we use a small thermos to keep them warm. Saucy Meatballs – Sometimes I do saucy meatballs like these, although my kids prefer them with regular pasta not zoodles. Chicken or Vegetarian Nuggets – Chicken nuggets are a fun lunch, especially if you have a way to keep them warm in the lunch box. Mini Sausages (or Pigs in a Blanket) – Pigs in a blanket are a fun lunch I'm planning to try this year, as well as basic sausage slices like these. Smoked Sausage Skewers – One of my kids is really into kielbasa and I'm planning to make lunch sometimes with quickly seared smoked sausage like this. Sliced Chicken Sausage – One more sausage idea, with chicken sausage (which I don't mind eating cold). Seasoned Tofu Cubes – These seasoned and roasted tofu cubes can be quickly warmed up in a toaster oven before popping into a lunch box. Chickpea or Chicken Salad Wraps – A plain chicken salad is a great high-protein lunch. Get The Kitchn's super popular chicken salad recipe right here. Turkey and Cheese – Yet another deli meat and cheese idea for lunch — very plain, very simple, and hey that's the way lots of kids like it. Ham, Cheese & Peas – For really small kids and toddlers, this lunchbox with tiny cubes of ham and cheese is ap-pea-ling. Fried Chicken – Leftover fried chicken makes a great lunch box main dish, provided your kids are OK with eating it cold. Pasta & Noodle Lunches for Kids Pasta Salad – This is another 'will they try it?!' idea but again, if you can strip back a 'pasta salad' to its bare minimum, coaching your kids into trying orzo with just one or two other mix-ins, it might turn into a new favorite. Saucy Soba or Udon Noodles – Udon and soba are a huge favorite for many families and they show up over and over again in our tried-and-true lunch box ideas. These noodles have a peanut sauce on them, but obviously that only works for schools that are OK with nuts. Soba Salad – One of my kids likes soba a lot, and I'm hoping to try a very basic soba salad with soy sauce and some veggies this year. These are so great made ahead and refrigerated overnight (bonus: I like to eat them for lunch too!). Orzo Salad – Another pasta salad idea with tomatoes and cauliflower. Soba Noodles with Tofu – One more soba noodle inspiration idea for really small children. This is very plain soba with plain tofu diced. Sandwiches & Wrap Lunches for Kids Sandwich Skewers – I'm kind of obsessed with this cute way of making sandwiches! I don't usually get fancy with how my kids' lunch boxes look inside (I'm no bento artist) but I think every time I put something on a toothpick it gets eaten. Banana & Granola Wrap – This tortilla wrap with bananas and granola looks really delicious. Banana Pinwheels – Another banana and tortilla idea. These have peanut butter inside, but you could substitute SunButter, cream cheese, or a little honey. Cream Cheese & Strawberry Sammie – This is a huge new favorite for my older kid, who loves cream cheese with all her heart. Cream Cheese Tartine – Cream cheese, in fact, may be our new peanut butter, with a little fat and protein to hold her lunch together. 'Assemble your own' cream cheese tartine could be reinvented in a million ways. Hummus Sandwich – I never thought to put hummus on a sandwich like this; it's a smart idea for all of you with hummus-obsessed kids. Grilled Cheese (in a Thermos) – The classic! This is the first reason we bought small thermoses. Rice Cakes and SunButter – Another good use for SunButter — crunchy rice cakes. Scrambled Chickpea Pitas – These are a little more elaborate and perhaps a stretch for some, but check the recipe out here and see what you think. Tortilla Sandwiches – These scrambled egg and spinach quesadillas-in-all-but-name are a yummy way to pack some veggies into the main dish. Ham and Cheese Sandwich – Left the classic for last. No explanation needed, but I do somehow forget about this classic lunch. Tacos & Burrito Lunches for Kids Mini Tacos – Hugely popular and easy, especially with grocery store staples like corn salsa and pre-packaged guacamole. Egg/Tortilla Roll-Ups – These are best made morning-of, but they're really kid friendly. Just make this basic rolled egg wrap and roll up with a tortilla. Deconstructed Burrito – Like the tacos, try sending some avocado and dips with tortilla chips (or a big tortilla) and them make a burrito their way. Quesadillas – It's fairly quick to whip up a plain quesadilla in the morning and tuck inside a thermos (you can even make them in the oven) Lettuce Cups – It's just fun to WRAP things up at lunch, and I've been meaning to try lettuce cups with some shredded chicken and rice for one of my kids. Rice & Dumpling Lunches for Kids Nori Wraps – Simple veggie nori rolls are an absolutely classic lunch staple and since my kids have been snacking on roasted seaweed, it's time to try these too. (I love shelled edamame as a kid-friendly veggie too!) Potstickers – Buy frozen potstickers and quickly cook in the morning before school. Vegetable Sushi or Onigiri – Another really classic lunch. You can make onigiri rice balls with plain or lightly seasoned rice if your kid isn't a fan of fish. Rice and Broccoli – This picture shows cauliflower rice I believe, which doesn't quite work for my kids, but it's still a good inspiration. Plain rice with veggies is a real staple for us. Summer Rolls – These are a little bit more of a project, but if you have the time and wherewithal, they feel really special. (Here's how to make summer rolls with rice wrappers.) Breakfast-for-Lunch Ideas for Kids Avocado Toast – Another assemble-it-themselves idea that I love Waffles and Waffle Sticks – I make a big batch of waffles and freeze them occasionally. A waffle toasted and cut up like this would be a hit in the lunch box. Breakfast for Lunch – A more general set of ideas for the younger eaters. Open-Faced Waffle Sandwich – This is something I definitely want to try — a cream cheese schmear on a waffle. Mini Pancakes – Very smart, especially if you're in a rush and just have some in the freezer. Egg Muffin & Frittata Lunch Ideas for Kids Egg muffins and mini frittatas are a whole category of homemade recipes that I think are really all-purpose for lunch time. Each of these links to a recipe at The Kitchn. Ham and Cheddar Muffins – Ham and Cheddar Lunch Box Muffins are a top-rated pick at The Kitchn and such a good make-ahead recipe. Frittata Muffins – These 3-Cheese Frittata Cups are a perfect package of lunch nutrition. Sausage Egg and Veggie Muffins – One last suggestion in this category are these sausage and egg muffins. Two More Make-Ahead Recipe Ideas These are ideas I didn't see actually pictured inside one of our many lunch roundups, but each of these are really good ideas I want to try on my kids this fall if I have baking energy. Pockets: For a hot lunch, these 4-ingredient pizza pockets are a great choice. Also see these recipes: Ham and Cheese Pastry Pockets and Freeze-Ahead Cheddar Hot Pockets. Buns: If you have the time to invest, then using homemade or storebought dough to make buns with cheese, ham, or another protein stuffed inside, like in this recipe, is another creative idea to try. I hope this has been helpful for you! We'd always love to hear your ideas and your kid lunch victories; visit and tag us on Instagram . Good Advice for Kids' Lunches This Is the Secret to Packing a Better Lunch Your Kids Will Actually Eat My 3 Rules of School Lunch Were Born Out of Desperation — But Now They're So Much More How to Teach Any Kid to Make Their Own School Lunch — Yes, Even Preschoolers! What I Wish Someone Had Told Me About Trying to Pack the Perfect School Lunch I'm a Dietitian, and I Changed My Mind About Sugar in My Kids' Lunch The Essential School Lunch Grocery List More Lunch Ideas & Resources 10 Easy Lunch Ideas That Aren't Sandwiches 30+ Make-Ahead Lunches You Can Prep and Pack Tonight 15 Cold Lunches Your Kids Will Love Eating 10 Super Easy (and Healthy!) Bento Box Lunch Ideas for Toddlers & Preschoolers 10 Easy Lunch Recipes That Take 20 Minutes or Less 10 Easy Whole30 Lunch Ideas 10 Easy Lunches That Don't Need to Be Refrigerated This Is How I Take the Stress Out of Packing My Lunch 10 Pasta Ideas for Lunch Boxes 25 Big-Batch Recipes to Make for Lunch 100+ of Our Best Lunch Box Recipes 15 Things to Pack in Your Thermos for a Hot Lunch (Besides Soup) Further Reading We Used Our New 'Room Plan' Tool to Give This Living Room 3 Distinct Styles — See How, Then Try It Yourself The Design Changemakers to Know in 2025 Create Your Own 3D Room Plan with Our New Tool
Elle
14 hours ago
- Elle
ELLE Editors Swear By These Designer Shoulder Bags for Your Next Investment
There's a reason the shoulder bag endures: it's a wardrobe staple that manages to feel both timeless and of-the-moment (I mean, just look at the staying power of the Fendi Baguette). Worn with nonchalance or intentional polish, it lends any look a certain ease. And this season, it's less about logos and more about silhouettes: crescent curves, boxy minis, slouchy leathers—all with quiet, confident details that speak volumes without trying too hard. Whether it's paired with a dress for brunch, peeking out from beneath a trench, or tucked under the arm with off-duty denim, the right shoulder bag doesn't follow trends—it defines them. It's not just an accessory; it's a statement. And if you're going to invest in one bag this season, this is it. I genuinely consider this bag a classic go-to—the kind you'll carry through every chapter of your life. It's the piece I instinctively reach for to add a touch of polish and ease to any outfit, making it well worth the splurge. Dimensions: Height: 5.9 inches; width: 10.2 inches; depth: 2.8 inches Colors: 9 options Material: Suede leather If the Birkin had a downtown sister with a softer edge, this would be it. 'I hate how much I love this bag. It's the perfectly slouched version of the Birkin, and it's much cooler because of it. Gone are the days of teeny tiny purses that you carried in one hand with your iPhone clutched in the other. I want everything in my purse—a book, a spare book, a planner, a lip combo, 37 loose hair ties, and the kitchen sink,' says Alexandra Hildreth, fashion news editor. Dimensions: Height: 9.5 inches; width: 13.6 inches; depth: 4.5 inches Colors: Black Material: 100% calfskin leather Some bags are conversation starters—others become part of your personality. For Madison Rexroat, assistant accessories editor, this one does both. 'Anyone who's gone for a night out with me or seen my Instagram the past few months has seen this Roberto Cavalli x LeSportSac bag. I'm a fiend for zebra print (though it comes in tiger, snake, blue and black, too) and the slick exterior fabric has withstood Coachella dust, Thailand humidity, Mediterranean salt air, New York City grime, and everything in between,' says Rexroat. Dimensions: Height: 8.7 inches; width: 16.1 inches; depth: 2.8 inches Colors: White/Black Zebra Print, Yellow/Black Zebra PrintMaterial: 1oo% nylon Clean lines and a thoughtful silhouette—sometimes that's all it takes for a shoulder bag to become a closet staple. 'Simply put, I love the shape of this bag. It feels very on-trend with some of the more minimal styles that have been on the market, but the slight dip in the middle gives it a bit of an unexpected touch,' says Dale Arden Chong, senior fashion commerce Height: 7.6 inches; width: 14 inches; depth: 6.8 inches Colors: Black, Bordeaux, Brandy Material: 100% polyamide Structured, but never stiff, the Le Teckel is something you'll spot on all of the fashion girls in Paris, given its striking shape and elongated straps. 'I've been hypnotized by the Le Teckel family ever since it debuted during the spring/summer 2024 season. I'm especially in love with this upgraded version because it can hold all the necessities and fit comfortably on my shoulder, thanks to its elongated straps,' Alexis Bennett Parker, ELLE's commerce content lead, says. 'Plus, it's an architectural work of art that's crafted with sharp lines. This is the type of bag that makes a pair of jeans and a T-shirt look instantly chic and will never go out of style.' Dimensions: Height: 4.3 inches; width: 13 inches; depth: 3.9 inches Colors: Noir, Dark Green, Ivory, Grey Material: 100% leather Some bags are instantly iconic—others only deepen their appeal with time. Bennett Parker still can't get over the craftsmanship of one particular standout. 'Speaking of work of art, there aren't many bags as beautifully crafted as Bottega Veneta's Kalimero. It's the first bag Matthieu Blazy created for the Milanese fashion house, and to this day, I'm still smitten by its intricate beauty,' she says. Dimensions: Height: 6.3 inches; width: 9.8 inches; depth: 2 inches Colors: Barolo, Fondant, Black, Bone Once reserved for fall and winter, brown suede has officially broken season boundaries. 'Brown suede bags are all over the place this summer—much to my surprise and delight. This Khaite style is my favorite that I've seen, and I think it will be perfect for many seasons to come, especially this fall,' says Meg Donohue, associate fashion commerce editor. Dimensions: Height: 8 inches; width: 13 inches; depth: 6.5 inches Colors: Mud Small in size but big on impact, the Le Bisou Perle Leather Shoulder Bag blends sculptural elegance with a minimalist finish. The curved silhouette and resin details give it that effortless French-girl appeal, making it the kind of piece that elevates even the simplest tank and jeans outfit combo. Dimensions: Height: 3.5 inches; width: 9.5 inches; depth: 1 inch Colors: Black, Brown Some bags just have that It girl energy—and for Laura Tarafa, ELLE's commerce writer, this Prada style was love at first sight. 'Lately, I've been obsessed with effortlessly chic, It girl styles. This Prada bag was an instant fixation. Every time I saw it on someone, I couldn't take my eyes off it! When I finally caved and treated myself to one, I fell in love with it even more. My favorite details include the wrap-around belt, the charming drawstring ties, and the soft, glossy leather. It's unstructured in that laidback way, but the polished touches make it feel elevated enough to dress up,' says Tarafa. Dimensions: Height: 6.1 inches; width: 12.6 inches; depth: 4.7 inches Colors: 6 options Crafted from rich suede with subtle leather trim, this suede moment channels vintage Americana with a modern edge. The gold-tone ID tag adds a signature touch, while the slouchy shape and adjustable strap make it endlessly wearable, from city errands to weekend escapes. Dimensions: Height: 16.8 inches; width: 15.8 inches; depth: 1.8 inches Colors: Cashew Tan Material: 100% calf suede with leather trim Timeless with just the right amount of edge, the Prada Cleo has quietly become a staple among those who know. ELLE's digital director, Claire Stern Milch, makes a strong case for why it belongs in your forever wardrobe. 'There are It bags—and then there are forever bags. With its '90s aesthetic, hobo-style shape, and sleek brushed leather finish, the Prada Cleo is an instant classic for good reason,' says Stern Milch. Dimensions: Height: 8.6 inches; height: 10.6 inches; depth: 2 inches Colors: Black, White Every product featured on is independently researched, tested, or editor-approved. We only recommend products that we stand behind, and the merchandise featured on our site is always driven by editorial and product testing standards, not by affiliate deals or advertising relationships. Any content created in partnership with advertisers is marked as such.
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Yahoo
This Light-Blocking Tent Let My Toddler Sleep 12+ Hours for the First Time Ever
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." I am a certified sleepy girl. I will gladly sleep in, go to bed early, take an afternoon nap—you name the occasion, I'm down to sleep. Unfortunately, my daughter inherited my husband's sleep schedule. She's by no means a bad sleeper, but she's very habitual and pretty instinctively sleeps from sunset to sunrise every night, waking right around 6:30—and that's really not a bad setup! But mom wants to sleep in every now and then, you know? Not to mention, my child needs her room to be dark in order to get a good night's sleep. And by dark, I mean blinds, a black-out Roman shade, and black-out curtains on a room-darkening rod to keep any and all light outside. So, you can see how traveling has presented an issue for us in the past when my daughter rises with the sun 30 minutes to a full hour earlier than usual. Vacation is for sleeping in, girlie! I'd shared my sleep struggles with a few other moms and got the same response from all of them: "Get a SlumberPod." At least once a month in my mom's group chat with friends someone is asking to borrow a SlumberPod for a weekend. After seeing my cousin's two and a half year old get so excited to go nap in "her tent" at a family gathering earlier this summer, I knew I needed to pull the trigger and get one myself.3.0 Portable Privacy Pod $199.99 at What Is the SlumberPod? My two-and-a-half-year old cousin put it best when she called it a tent. The SlumberPod is a canopy that sits atop a travel crib or play yard, creating a true blackout sleep experience for kids. It has a half-circle portion at the front that zips fully closed, though you can also just close the mesh fabric. At the top, there are two pockets built in—one for a fan and another for a monitor. How to Set Up the SlumberPod: The SlumberPod sets up just like a tent, as well. It comes with two skinny rods that fold into roughly one-and-a-half-foot sections and then the tent base. You lay the tent base atop the sleeping surface, then straighten out the rods, connecting all the pieces. I will say, this part did give my husband and I some trouble initially as we didn't follow directions and had not straightened the rod. You also need a fairly spacious room to straighten the rods out, and I'd recommend trying to keep the kids away as these rods could easily poke them. From there, the rods simply slip into the loops and pockets of the tent, creating an X crossover at the top. After setup is complete, you can slip your fan and monitor into the top pockets and your little one is ready for a good night's sleep. Did My Toddler Like It? My toddler didn't really care much about the SlumberPod as we were getting ready for bed. Once it was time to go down, though, she was definitely a little freaked out. I only zipped the front half-circle cover halfway, just so she could still see out (I'm personally claustrophobic and live in fear of passing that down to her). Also, being in a new location probably didn't help with the adjustment here! If you're a well-prepared parent, you might find it beneficial to try out the SlumberPod for a few naptimes before traveling with it. We prefer to fly by the seats of our pants in this family, apparently. It only took a few minutes for my daughter to settle down. I really think only closing the front portion halfway played a huge part in this. Within ten minutes she was laying down, drifting off to sleep, and I felt comfortable enough to move from outside her room and let the monitor do its job. My daughter didn't wake up a single time that night, which is the norm for her these days (hoping I'm not jinxing myself saying that). I was most impressed though that she actually slept past 8 A.M. That does not happen in our house—ever. This child will not sleep past 7:30 on any day of the week, even when she's sick. And here she was, sleeping well past 8 A.M. even with the SlumberPod not even fully closed! I'm hooked. We'll never travel without this thing. Does It Really Block All Light? Like I said, we never fully closed the front panel of the SlumberPod, so I can't say for sure whether or not all light was blocked. What I can say is that once I put my head all the way to the bottom of her play yard where she'd be sleeping, the space was far darker than her room usually is at her summer bedtime or naptime. I'm not going to try and fit into the play yard myself to test out the total darkness theory, but I rest easy knowing just how pitch black it was at the bottom of that pack 'n play, and my daughter obviously did, too. The one caveat I can say with the total darkness claim is that the monitor did provide a bit of light. The monitor pocket is clear on the inside (obviously, so it can actually do its job), so this allows for the night vision light on the camera to shine throughout the tent. We were using a cheap travel monitor with a pretty bright light and were worried that this might keep our daughter up, but she was unbothered by it. Even if it had kept her up, though, it would've been easy to just leave the monitor outside the tent and still be able to hear her clearly. What Does the SlumberPod Come With? If you buy the basic SlumberPod, it only comes with the tent, rods, and a travel bag. You can easily make do with just this, especially if you have a stroller fan already, but if you don't then I'd highly recommend upgrading to the bundle for $20 more and getting SlumberPod's fan. The fan is rechargeable, easy to adjust, and has multiple speed settings. The SlumberPod does has ventilation flaps, so your child will be getting fresh, cool air even without the fan, but if your child is used to sleeping with a fan on, then you'll definitely want this extra. Slumberpod has also started making a few other sleep essentials that I love. Parents of older toddlers who no longer fit in a play yard or toddler cot will love the inflatable Slumbertot, an air mattress designed to pair perfectly with the SlumberPod. Personally, I'm a huge fan of Slumberpod's portable sound machine. I plan to use it as the only sound machine for my second child because it provides so many different noise options, including my personal two favorites for newborns: white noise and a gentle shhhhh. Is It Easy to Travel With? The SlumberPod comes with it's own carrying case and is incredibly easy to pack up and take on the go. It takes up less room than our play yard and is far more lightweight. It could probably fit into your luggage, but it would take up a good deal of clothing storage space, so I'd consider just checking it if you're flying. But for car trips, it barely takes up any room. Is It Worth It? The easiest yes I've ever said. The SlumberPod isn't cheap, it retails $199.99. But one of the most relaxing parts of vacationing to me is the ability to sleep in a little, and especially not being woken up by screaming. The SlumberPod gives me that extra bit of rest I'm craving when away from home, and it's made room sharing with my toddler so much easier. Before, when we traveled, we'd put her play yard in bathrooms, closets, just about anywhere we could find the space and block off light. Now we can have her right beside us and still get ready for bed with the lights on and her not noticing Fan Combo 3.0 $219.99 at Inflatable Toddler Travel Bed Use - Includes Electric Pump $99.99 at 2-in-1 Sound Machine with Light for Kids $29.99 at Portable Sound Machine $24.99 at You Might Also Like 70 Impressive Tiny Houses That Maximize Function and Style 30+ Paint Colors That Will Instantly Transform Your Kitchen
